3 Jul 2017

Short term missions are not the race

by | posted in: Missions | 171,210

I am always amazed at the excitement and nervousness from those going on their first short-term mission trip, most of the time they don’t know enough to know what they need to be nervous about. There is an excitement in their eyes as they head into the unknown. They prepare testimonies and lessons, not knowing how God will use them or if they will be effective. They pack what is recommended and wonder if it will be enough. They comfort their parents and loved ones, and try to reassure them everything is going to be alright, while at the same time not knowing what the future holds. But through leading and prayer, the journey begins.

 

A lot of mission team members, especially those who have never been on mission before usually become broken spiritually sometime during the week of the trip. They discover a new outlook on sharing, faith, trust, and God. Why is this? It is simple, during the week they are constantly hearing the word of God either from others sharing or through the preaching or their own study. They also see the word of God come to life. That doesn’t mean that the bible gets up and starts walking around. But they see the Spirit of God begin to work in the lives of the people they come in contact with. They walk the streets with a single purpose, to find the person of peace with whom they can share the good news of the gospel. Some are hit with the hard truth that not all will accept the gospel, so they plant a seed not knowing the condition of the soil. Other times they begin to pour out water onto unknown soil, unaware that a seed exist and has been waiting for the moisture that God will use to bring it to life. They get excited and don’t know what to do when out of the ground springs forth life. A miracle, they get to see cold dead bones come to life. After that experience, they have a drive to share and no longer need to be pushed in front of people to share with. Oh what it would have been like in Acts to walk the streets and see God work, bringing people to life through the proclamation of the Gospel. But wait, could that still happen? And could it happen here?

After returning home and a couple weeks of rest, life returns to normal. The mission was accomplished, people were saved and now we are back comfortable, safe, fed, and loved. Or are we? There is always a sense of completion at the end of a mission trip. Not that that would be wrong in the short term, but there is a since of that was where we were on mission at, but now we are back and we have things to get done. Real stuff, school, work, friends, problems, and you know life. Right?

One of the greatest tragedies we have is short-term missions. I know you saw a bunch of people get saved, and God really “showed up”, but stay with me. There is a since of awe and wonder during the week of a mission trip. And we look forward to the next year when we can go and feel that same since of awe and wonder. But let’s compare it to a race shall we. Anyone who runs foot races understands that you have different splits. These are markers throughout the race to gauge your progress, and to ensure you are on pace. A short-term mission trip is sort of like a split. It is a time to see if you are where you need to be in your spiritual life, in your reading and study of the word, apologetics, doctrines, and if you can articulate them to the world around you. The shortness of the week gives you the opportunity to push yourself hard and to evaluate yourself. The tragedy is that the short-term is looked at, as the race itself. We return with a sense that we ran and will rest up to run again next year.

The race however is not over. In fact it is just beginning. When you return home, it is like passing the first mile marker. The street is no longer filled with cheering fans, the road narrows, and the reality of the race sets in. Here is where we must work our hardest. This is where we must pull from prayer and scripture, the strength to press on. Where most might sit and rest, we must run to win. We don’t just return to normal life, we return with a renewed sense of awe for what God has been doing and we must now trust even more so that He will continue His work. We saw on foreign soil God work in others lives. Now we must trust that He will work in ours for His glory and to reach those around us. We are home; this is where we must turn from our sins, where we must love God more than mother and father, more than friends and things. This is where we live out what we preach, if we believe that which we have taught. Did we believe it? Do we believe it? If so, then are we disciplined for the miles ahead? Paul tells the church at Corinth “I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified”. Are we disqualified or are we still in the race?

There are no short-term missionaries; there are only missionaries in different context. When we return to our Jerusalem, let us seek the hope that is only found in Christ. Let us not lean on our own understanding, our own wisdom, which is foolishness. Let us not fall victim to busyness and the lure of shiny objects that promise fulfillment. Let our knees be worn out for those nearest to us. Let our time be determined by the cross and His call, trusting that He will provide the time for work, family, fun, and ministry, as we continue the race. We have found our greatest joy in walking by faith; let us not check our faith with Homeland Security as we return home. But let us be reminded daily where our ultimate security is found and where our joy is greatest. Wherever you woke up at, wherever you find yourself, wherever you stand today, then that is your mission field. Time to get running.

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    The awards organisers said: ‘Dante serves superb
    coffee and cocktails, as well as high-quality food, becoming an international drinks destination at the same
    time as retaining a buzzing neighbourhood bar vibe.’

    The No2 spot is occupied by the revered Connaught Bar, housed in the uber-swanky Connaught Hotel in London’s Mayfair district.

    The No2 spot is occupied by the revered Connaught Bar (pictured), housed in the uber-swanky Connaught Hotel in London’s Mayfair 

    The staff will drink to that: Connaught Bar (pictured) also scooped the coveted Best Bar in Europe prize

    Although it missed out on the ultimate gong, it did scoop the coveted Best Bar in Europe prize, sponsored by Michter’s.

    In third place and named The Best Bar in South America, sponsored by Seedlip, is Florería Atlántico in Buenos Aires,
    Argentina, an improvement of 11 places compared to last year.

    The fourth-place slot, meanwhile, is taken by NYC’s The NoMad and in fifth
    place is the American Bar in London’s five-star Savoy
    hotel.

    In third place and named The Best Bar in South America, is Florería Atlántico in Buenos Aires (pictured)

    Florería Atlántico climbed 11 places to claim the No3 spot.
    Pictured are two of its concoctions

    The Florería Atlántico team are all smiles – and no wonder,
    they run a bar with a global reputation for classy cocktails

    American Bar also takes the Legend of the List accolade,
    sponsored by Asahi, awarded to a bar that has performed most consistently
    in the history of the ranking.

    The other U.S bars on the list are New York’s Attaboy (No7), The Dead Rabbit (No22),
    Employees Only (No26) and Katana Kitten (No14) – the latter snagging the award for Best New Opening, sponsored by Thomas
    Henry. San Francisco’s Trick Dog (No42), completes the American contingent.

    The other British bars in the ranking are also in London – Three Sheets (No16), Coupette
    (No23), Scout (No28), Lyaness (No39), Happiness Forgets (No40), Swift (No41), Kwānt
    (No47) and Artesian, which takes 48th place.

    NYC’s The NoMad takes fourth place. The U.S boasts an impressive seven bars in the Top 50
    ranking

    All but one of the U.S bars in the top 50 is in New York.
    San Francisco’s Trick Dog (No42) completes the American contingent.

    Pictured is a flamboyant NoMad drink

    Lyaness and Kwānt are making their debuts, while Artesian is a re-entry.

    The UK can also be proud of Monica Berg, the co-owner of innovative new London bar Tayēr
    + Elementary (No52), who has been named the Altos Bartenders’
    Bartender 2019, ‘reflecting her influence as a positive and passionate voice for change, education and increased professionalism in the drinks sector’.

    Spain boasts three bars on this year’s list, including
    Madrid’s Salmón Gurú (No19), which is also the winner of the Highest Climber Award, sponsored by
    Tanqueray, having leapt an impressive 28 places in the ranking from last year.
    New entry Dr. Stravinsky (No25) joins fellow Barcelona bar Paradiso (No20) on the list.

    The American Bar (pictured) is fifth overall.
    It’s housed in the swanky Savoy hotel in London 

    The staff at American Bar pose proudly in front of the bar.
    It’s said to be one of the most historically important bars open today 

    The cocktails at the American Bar almost count as works of art.  American Bar also takes the Legend of the
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